Jamaicans cleared for Berlin

Five Jamaican athletes who were cleared after producing positive tests in June are allowed to compete at the World Championships.

The news comes despite an independent panel hearing an appeal against the decision yet to sit.

IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss confirmed Sheri-Ann Brooks, Yohan Blake, Marvin Anderson, Lansford Spence and Allodin Fothergill, who tested positive for the stimulant methylhexanamine, can represent Jamaica in their respective relay races.

But Weiss stressed, if they do take part and are subsequently found guilty after the championships finish, Jamaica, who are among the favourites to win medals in all four relays, will almost certainly be disqualified.

Weiss admitted frustration the case has not yet been resolved after Jamaica's Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) challenged the decision made by its own appeals committee.

"We did not have any choice but to clear them because the substance does not appear on the banned products list of WADA," said Kent Gammon, president of the disciplinary commission of JADCO.

However, JADCO claimed methylxanthine contains a similar structure to tuaminoheptane, which is listed as a stimulant on the World Anti-Doping Agency list.

Weiss said: "This is a difficult situation regarding the Jamaicans.

"We were told last Friday that the appeals panel would meet on Monday and we were expecting the information and we still don't have the information.

"Instead we have been informed that the panel will not meet until the end of the championships.

"This I did not expect. We will have to meet with the Jamaican delegation."

Weiss added: "I don't know whether they will compete or not. They are, as far as I know, still in Jamaica.

"They have to confirm one day before the event the list of names, although for the relays the starting line-up can be changed on the day of the race.

"They are not suspended, they would be allowed to compete but the situation can change day by day.

"If the panel does not meet until the end of the championships we cannot suspend them."

Weiss insisted: "They (the Jamaicans) have two options. They can compete or not compete.

"If they compete and afterwards the JADCO appeals panel declares them guilty then we will have to alter the results.

"The decision is not in our hands."